On-time awards for JAL; new flights for NZ; Emirates adds perks

On-time awards for JAL

Japan Airlines (JAL) was awarded the On-time Performance Services Award by FlightStats, Inc., an independent aviation performance tracking company, coming in first in both the “mainline” and “network” categories under Asia-Pacific Major Airlines.

Network is defined as a system of flights that are marketed by a major airline but operated by a separate airline partner, while mainline only looks at the results of the operating airline.

JAL has been ranked highest for on-time performance service in this category seven times since FlightStats launched the awards in 2009.

In 2016, the airline achieved an on-time arrival rate of 87.3 percent for its domestic and international mainline flights and 87.8 percent for network flights.

In addition, the oneworld alliance, of which JAL is a member, received FlightStats’ Airline Alliance On-time Performance Service Award for the fourth time running.

In the category of Major International Airlines, JAL was ranked second in mainline and third under network.

New flights for NZ

From July, Air New Zealand will add three additional flights to Haneda Airport during peak season, while continuing daily service to Narita.

The Haneda flights will depart on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Air New Zealand also operates seasonal services between Auckland and Osaka.

Air New Zealand Chief Revenue Officer Cam Wallace says the direct Auckland-Haneda route will offer more choice for customers traveling to and from Japan.

“We look forward to building on our existing services to Japan as tourism continues to grow in both directions, particularly in the coming years with events such as the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Summer Olympics.”

Japan is New Zealand’s fifth-largest tourism market with visitors to New Zealand from Japan up 13.8 percent to 97,312 for the year ending October 2016. The number of New Zealanders traveling to Japan also grew in that period by 15 percent.

Emirates adds perks

Emirates has introduced exclusive, new products for passengers in first and business classes, including amenity kits from Bulgari and skincare from VOYA, as well as first-class lounge wear and luxury blankets.

The new amenity kits are available on long-haul overnight flights and feature Bulgari’s woody floral fragrance, Eau Parfumee au The Noir.

Made from fine leather, the first-class bags come in eight designs in charcoal grey for men and pale grey for women.

For business-class passengers, four designs are available each for men and women.

Emirates has also partnered with award-winning Irish brand VOYA on an exclusive skincare line.

Additionally, first-class passengers on overnight long-haul flights will be able to experience the world’s first moisturizing loungewear designed for an airline.

In partnership with Matrix, the clothes use the patented Hydra Active Microcapsule Technology designed to keep skin hydrated during the flight by gently releasing naturally moisturizing sea kelp.